but there are many more people who are still missing inside syria, wolf. it has been a plague of kidnapping and hostage taking there. there are no less than 21 journalists and 18 other citizen journalists currently missing, according to the organization reporters without borders. many ordinary syrians being held for ransom as law and order continues to break down in that war-torn country. wolf? >> ivan watson, thanks very much. and it underscores, kate, just how dangerous these assignments are. you know, so happy that these nbc journalists got out. >> so, so thankful that they got out, wolf. you're so right. >>> other stories that we are watching today. on capitol hill, a deal could be taking shape to avoid the fiscal cliff, now just two weeks away. our lisa sylvester is here with that and more of today's top stories. hey there, lisa. >> hi, there, wolf and kate. well, as americans edge ever closer to huge tax hikes and deep automatic spending cuts, both sides are offering compromises today. house speaker john boehner proposed a short-term plan, higher tax